A Complex Identity: Arab Women in Israeli Society | Amherst ...

On February 24th and 25th, Dr. Dalia Fadila, Founder of Q Schools and President of Al-Qasemi College, spoke with audiences at the Jewish Community of Amherst and the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts on:

"A complex identity: Arab women's empowerment and leadership in Israel"

Dalia shared how higher education shaped her ability to be change-maker in Arab society in Israel, and how she is using education to empower Arab youth to become learners, leaders, and full participants in Israeli society.

After receiving her doctorate in American literature from Bar-Ilan University, Dalia Fadila went on to teach in Israel's first Muslim college, balancing between tradition and opportunity, until becoming President of what is today Al-Qasemi College of Science and Engineering, where she is helping Arab youth learn the necessary skills to integrate into Israel's growth industries.

In the meanwhile, recognizing the power of the English language to encourage self-expression and culture change, Dalia opened "Q Schools", a chain of private schools for Arab citizens to learn English. This year, Q Schools opened its first bilingual, Arab-English preschool, bringing their unique curriculum to an early age. All of the students who have graduated Dalia's programs are today in Israel's universities.

Audiences in both communities were intrigued to learn about Dalia's experiences, how she broke glass ceilings in Muslim, Arab and Israeli society, and how she continues to generate opportunities out of the obstacles she encounters. 

Read more about Dalia Fadila in a NJJN article from a talk she gave in New Jersey, just two days prior to these events.

About the speaker:

Dr. Dalia Fadila is currently president of Al Qasemi Engineering and Science College. She has served in the past 8 years as provost of Al-Qasemi Teacher Training College, an Arab college of education in Israel and acted as the president of the college during 2006. She is also a fellow member of the "EU Leadership Program," and "USA International Leadership Program".  Dr. Fadila is an expert on organizational development, educational entrepreneurship, and a researcher of American literature, women's literature and ethnic studies. She has led and managed national and international seminars and projects on issues of gender, culture, identity and education. Of deep concern to her, are promoting quality education for underprivileged students in general and Arab students in Israel, in particular, through establishing an alternative schooling system, and empowering women as educators, entrepreneurs and leaders. She has established private schools for teaching English called Q Schools - English Language and HR Development that propose a unique approach to learning/teaching English as space for intellectual and personal empowerment; the approach is particularly suited to underprivileged students and stems from the need of these students to develop personally and professionally. Dr. Fadila is currently also faculty member of the International School for Leadership and Diplomacy at IDC-Inter Disciplinary Center in Hertzelya and member of the governmental civil-service higher committee and fellow the Taub Center for Social Policy Research in Israel and other national and international forms dealing with education and the Arab minority in Israel.